Garbage compactor



Dec. 2, '1969 H. PRICE ET AL 3,481,268

GARBAGE COMPACTOR Filed Aug 30, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l United States Patent O 3,481,268 GARBAGE COMPACTOR Howard Price, Kings Point, and Bela Szilagyi, Flushing, N.Y., and Mario Quinto, Stamford, Conn., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to International Patent & Development Corp., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 30, 1968, Ser. No. 756,513 Int. Cl. B30b .I5/16, 15/32; B65b 63/02 U.S. Cl. 100-49 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A refuse compacting arrangement or apparatus in which refuse is stored in a chute to a predetermined level, and then processed by compacting the refuse into convenient bales or cakes. Compacting is performed through the action of a hydraulic cylinder and piston which rams the refuse into a cylindrical-shaped space. After the refuse has been compacted into a bale, it is ejected into a refuse container for removal and discarding. Limit switches control the sequencing of hydraulic cylinders and pistons throughout the processing cycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been common practice, heretofore, to discard refuse by burning in incinerators, or dropping the refuse loosely in cans for carting away. The burning of refuse has shown itself to be a considerable nuisance, in view of the noxious and often toxic odors and gases which may result from the burning. At the same time, the iilling of refuse disposal cans by dropping the refuse loosely into them, is disadvantageous since it requires large capacity trucks or other conveyances for carting the refus to a central disposal point. A large number of disposal cans are also, in general, required to dispose the refuse from any sizeable residential building. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages in the disposal of' refuse, by providing an arrangement which compacts the refuse into bales or cakes of convenient size for handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus or arrangement for the disposal of refuse by compacting it into convenient size bales or cakes. The refuse is stored within a chute or storage bin to a predetermined level at which point sufficient refuse is available 'for processing into a bale. A sensing device detecting the volume of refuse being stored, transmits a signal initiating the action of a hydraulic cylinder and piston which rams against the refuse for the purpose of compacting it into a bale. At the termination of the ramming procedure, the ram is withdrawn or retracted and the bale is ejected into a disposable bag or container. Hydraulic cylinders and pistons controlled in sequence through the action of limit switches, are used to accomplish the ejection process. The disposable bag or container into which the compacted bales are ejected, form the lining of refuse cans mounted on a turntable type of conveyor. The latter is indexed or sequenced periodically beneath the ejecting mechanism for the purpose of receiving a bale after it has been formed. After the bale has ICC been ejected or dropped into the disposal bag or container, it may be removed from the refuse can on the conveyor through separation of the two halves of the can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identiiied by specific names for convenience, but such names are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing, in which: FIG. 1 is a sectional front view of the refuse compacting arrangement, and shows the structural as well as the functional aspects of the apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 and shows the compacting dies in combination with the compacting ram.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a functional schematic diagram showing the hydraulic operating and electrical controlling circuits for carrying out a compacting cycle with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing, the refuse is admitted or passed into a chute 10. The refuse accumulates within the space 12 and up through the chute 10 until it attains the level at which a photoelectric sensing device 14 mounted. When the refuse has illed the chute to this level, the photoelectric sensing device 14 transmits a signal for initiating the compacting process. Thus, when suflicient refuse is within the chute so as to attain the predetermined level at which the photoelectric sensing device 14 is mounted, it is indicative of the condition that sufficient refuse is available for compacting or baling purposes. It is quite feasible to use a proximity switching device in place of the photoelectric sensor 14, to provide such an electrical initiating signal. The electrical signal from the sensing device 14 is transmitted to a solenoid valve 16 which, when opened, permits hydraulic fluid to flow by way of the path 20', into a hydraulic cylinder 18. The hydraulic fluid entering the cylinder 18 acts against a ram 22 and forces the latter to bear under pressure against the refuse within the space 12. The flow paths of electrical signals are shown in the drawing by dashed lines. The ram 22 is provided with a compressing die portion 24. This die portion has a semicircular shaped interior surface with crushing teeth or jaws 26. The die portion 24 is moveable with the ram 22. The die portion 24 cooperates with the die portion 28 which is secured to the frame of the machine. The die portion 28 also has a semicircular shaped interior surface, so that when the two die portions or die halves 24 and 28 are brought into contact with each other, a substantially cylindrical surface is realized. Thus, the forward motion of the ram 22, in which it seeks contact with the die half 28 through the die half 24, causes the refuse to be compacted Within the cylindrical space 30` formed by the two die halves. The ram 22 may be considered as the piston cooperating with the hydraulic cylinder 18. Depending upon the 3 characteristics of the refuse, for example, the density property of the refuse, one or more forward motions of the ram 22. may be required before the refuse is fully compacted within the space 30.

When the ram 22 has attained the extreme forward position, occurring when the two die halves 24 and 28 are lbrought together to form the cylindrical space 30, a signal is transmitted by the limit switch 32, indicating that the refuse has been properly compaced in the desired bale or cake. The crushing teeth or jaws 26 on the die half 24 facilitate the disintegration of the refuse into smaller particles suitable for compacting into the desired bale or cake. The limit stop is mounted or secured to the cylinder 18. The ram 22 carries an arm 36 upon which is mounted a switch actuator 34. The switch actuator 34 serves as a limit stop for actuating the limit switch 32. Thus, when the ram 22 is at its extreme for- Ward position, the actuator or stop 34 is moveable with the ram, engages the limit switch 32 and actuates the same. With the actuation of the switch 32, an electrical signal is transmitted to the solenoid valve 16 to open the hydraulic line 38, and thereby permit the ram 22 to be retracted into the cylinder 18. At the same time, the signal transmitted by the limit switch 32 is also applied to a solenoid valve 40 which operates a hydraulic cylinderi42.

The hydraulic cylinder 42 is of the double acting type, similar to that of cylinder 18, and cooperates with a .moveable piston 44. The latter is secured to a connecting rod or ram 46 which, in turn, is secured to a moveable or slideable base plate 48 beneath the compacted bale or cake. In its initial or normal position, the piston 44 is in its extreme forward position in which the `base plate 48 is directly beneath the cylindrical space 30. This is also the position of the base plate `48 during the period of time that the ram 22 compresses the refuse Within the space 30. When the limit switch 32 has transmitted an electrical signal to the hydraulic solenoid valve 4i), indicating that the refuse has been compacted into a desired bale, the flow line 50 to the cylinder 42 is opened, as a result of the action of the valve 40, and the piston 44 is allowed to retract within the cylinder 42. Thus, hydraulic fluid is forced into the cylinder 42, by Way of the hydraulic flow path 50, and forces the piston into its retracted position. During this retracting motion of the piston 44, the base plate 48 becomes withdrawn from underneath the bale or cake of refuse.

When the base plate `48 is entirely removed or withdrawn from underneath the bale of refuse, it is desired that the latter drop into a container or bag 52 for removal and discarding. The container 52 may be in the form of, for example, a plastic bag, a refuse can, or similar such receptacle. In view of the compacting of the refuse under considerable pressure through the ram 22, the bale of refuse may adhere to the internal surfaces or walls of the die halves 24 and 28. To eject the bale from within the contines of the die halves, an ejecting cylinder 54 is provided. In its normal position or initial position, the piston 56 associated with the cylinder 54 is in its retracted position, in which the ejecting plate 58 lies above the top of the bale, and hence above the die halves 24 and 28. The ejecting plate 58 is secured to the piston 56, and is of substantially circular cross section suitable for moving along the cylindrical surface established by the die half 24 and 28. When the piston 56 is moved into its forward direction, the ejecting plate 58 bears against the bale within the space 30 and forces the latter out thereof and down into the container 52.

For the purpose of actuating the piston S6, hydraulic uid is forced into the cylinder 54, through the flow line 60 which is controlled by the solenoid valve 40. Thus, when the solenoid valve 40 is actuated to retract the base plate 48, this valve also opens the flow line 60 to force hydraulic fluid under pressure into the cylinder 54 and thereby force the piston 56 in the downward direction.

After the ejecting plate has reached its extreme downward position signifying that the bale has been pushed into the refuse container 52, the limit switch 64 becomes actuated. The latter is mounted to the cylinder 54, and cooperates with an -actuator 66. This actuator or limit stop 66 is mounted upon an arm 68 secured to the ejecting plate 58. When the stop 66 bears against the limit switch 64, as a result of the ejecting plate 58 being at its maximum downward position, the switch 64 transmits the signal to the solenoid valve 40 for the purpose of opening the flow line 62. Once the latter is opened, hydraulic fluid is forced into the double acting cylinder 54, and the piston 56 is forced in the upward direction until the ejecting plate 58 has been entirely removed from within the confnements of the space 30` determined by the die halves 24 and 28.

When the limit switch 64 is actuated for the purpose of retracting the ejecting plate 58, the electrical signal transmitted by the switch 64 is also applied to the solenoid valve 40 such that the hydraulic line 70 becomes opened. With the opening of this hydraulic line 70, hydraulic iluid is forced into the cylinder 42 and the piston 44 is, as a result, moved in the forward direction whereby the base plate 48 is again returned to its initial position in which it is directly beneath the space 30. At the same time, that the electrical signal is transmitted to the solenoid valve 40 for forcing the ejecting plate 58 in the downward direction, through the opening of the hydraulic line 60, the solenoid valve 16 is actuated by the same electrical signal for the purpose of retracting the ram 22. Thus, the electrical signal which operates the solenoid 'valve 40y for forcing the piston 56 in the downward direction, also operates the solenoid valve 16 which opens the ow line 38 and forces the retraction of the ram 22.

A pressure switch 72, is connected to the hydraulic line 20 for the purpose of detecting excessive pressures which may result from incompressible objects being introduced into the refuse. Thus, it is possible that a steel rod, for example, may be intermixed with the refuse, and if compression of such a steel rod lying along a diameter of the cylindrical space were attempted, damage to the machine could result. Through the inclusion of the pressure switch 72 in the hydraulic line 20, however, such damaging effects are prevented since this pressure switch will transmit, when a predetermined pressure has been exceeded, a signal which stops the machine and sounds an alarm to the operator. The latter can then take the necessary steps to remove the incompressible object, and reinstitute the operation of the machine. For sanitary purposes, a container 74 with disinfecting substance is included to spray a predetermined amount of disinfecting material into the refuse during the compacting process.

Hydraulic fluid under pressure for the purpose of operating the hydraulic cylinders of the machine, in accordance with the present invention, is realized from the fluid pump 76 driven by an electric motor 78. A pressure gauge 80 connected to the fluid line in which the hydraulic fluid is placed under pressure by the pump 76, is an indication of the magnitude of the pressure. The pressurized fluid is transmitted through the hydraulic line 82, to the solenoid valve 16 and 40 for controlling their respective hydraulic cylinders. A hydraulic tank 84 serves as a storage reservoir for the hydraulic fluid being pumped through the system. Through means of the flow line 86 connected to the hydraulic valve 16 and `40, hydraulic fluid from the cylinders is returned to the storage tank 84. The intake 88 of the pump 76 dips into the storage tank 84 and serves as a source for feeding hydraulic fluid to the pump, for the purpose of placing the uid under pressure. An auxiliary hydraulic valve 90 operates in conjunction with the hydraulic valve 40 and the flow line 60. The valve 90 is in the form of a sequence valve which assures that the ejection plate 58 does not fully bear against the compacted refuse bale for ejection thereof, until the base plate 48 has been withdrawn from underneath the bale. Thus, the sequence valve 90 operates in conjunc-f tion with the solenoid valve 40 which, in turn, controls the operation of the cylinder 42 for the base plate 48. The sequence valve 90 cooperates with the valve 40 to ascertain that the cylinder 54 will not be operated through the hydraulic line 60 rfor the purpose of pushing the compacted bale downward, until the base plate 48 has been properly withdrawn. This cooperative action between the two valves 90 and 40 assures that damage to the machine through bending of the plate 48, for example,`does not occur as a result of premature actuation of the ejecting plate 58. A sprinkler system 92 is provided in conjunction with the chute 10, for the purpose of automatically spraying water into the chute in the event that a re becomes generated therein. A heat sensor 94, in the form of a temperature or thermal element, is mounted on the internal wall of the chute and detects any rise in temperature with the chute. When the temperature within the chute exceeds a predetermined level, the thermal element 94 closes an electrical circuit in the conventional manner, and actuates the automatic sprinkler system 92 for spraying or forcing water into the chute and thereby extinguish any fire which may be generated therein.

The electrical signal from the sensing device 14 which senses the level of the refuse, is transmitted by way of the amplifier 96, to an electrical switch 98 which, upon closure, starts the operation of the motor 78 and hence a cycle of operation in which a refuse bale is formed.

For the purpose of facilitating rapid production of compacted bales 100, a bag holder 102 is provided which is constructed in the form of two halves readily separating for allowing easy removal of the compacted bale. A plurality of such holders 102 are mounted upon a rotary conveyor or turntable 104. These holders 102 are moved in sequence beneath the space 30 holding a compacted bale. A motor 106 operates the rotary conveyor or turntable which is sequenced or indexed each time a new cycle for the formation of a bale is commenced. Thus, by providing a conveyor in the form of a turntable, the holders 102 can be sequenced and indexed around a closed path and brought beneath the space 30 lat sequenced intervals. During the period of time that any one holder 102 is not beneath the space 30 awaiting the reception of a compacted bale, the holder 102 may be lined with a container 52 or may be emptied from its contents by separating the two halves of the container.

Any moisture within the refuse and squeezed from the compacted structure accumulates in the trough 108. A leader or water conducting line 110 connects the trough 108 with a sewage inlet 112. In this manner all moisture and water separated from the refuse during the compacting process is passed into a sewage line.

The shield 24a is provided to move With the die section 24 to serve as a support for the remaining refuse within the chute, while the refuse between the die sections is being compacted through repeated reciprocal strokes of the piston 22.

What is claimed is:

1. Refuse compacting apparatus comprising, in combination, a housing; storage means communicating with said housing for storing a predetermined quantity of uncompacted refuse; sensing means on said storage means for sensing when said storage means is filled with said predetermined quantity of uncompacted refuse; compacting die means with at least two die portions within said housing for applying pressure to said refuse within a compacting space in said housing and communicating with said storage means, said die portions compacting said refuse into compacted mass through pressure applied between said die portions; die actuating means for actuating one of said die portions in response to said sensing means when said storage means has been filled with said predetermined quantity of refuse, said compacting space being filled with refuse when storage means is filled with said predetermined quantity of refuse, said die actuating means forcing said die portions to bear against said refuse iand apply pressure thereon; supporting base means for supporting the refuse while being compacted by said die means into compacted mass; base actuating means for moving said base means to and from an opening in said housing bordering said compacting space, said base means being moved from said opening for removal of said compacted mass from said compacting space; ejecting means movable into and out of said compacting space for ejecting said compacted mass from said compacting space 'after said base means has been moved from said opening; and control means lfor moving said base means from said opening after said refuse has been compacted, said control means thereafter initiating said ejecting means to eject said compacted mass through said opening, returning said base means over said opening after ejection of said compacted mass and separating said die portions.

2. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means on said storage means is a photoelectric sensing device emitting an electrical signal when the uncompacted refuse within said storage means attains a level therein whereby the optical path of said photoelectric device is interrupted.

3. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said die portions comprise a stationary die section having a substantially semicircular cutout; and a movable die section mating with said stationary die section and having also a substantially semicircular cutout so that a substantially cylindrical surface is formed when said die sections are in contact with each other, said movable die section being secured to said die actuating means.

4. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said die actuating means comprises a hydraulic cylinder; a piston within said cylinder and movable along the length of said cylinder; and hydraulic operating fluid within said cylinder and acting upon said piston to move said piston for exerting pressure upon said refuse being compacted by said die means, and to move said piston in a reverse direction for relieving said pressure.

V5. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim' 1 wherein said supporting base means comprises a movable plate beneath said compacting space and covering said opening when said refuse is being compacted, said supporting base means being moved from said opening by said base actuating means after said refuse has been compacted.

6. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said base actuating means comprises a hydraulic cylinder; a piston within said cylinder and movable along the length of said cylinder; and hydraulic operating fluid acting upon said cylinder and thereby on said plate whereby said plate is moved into position over said opening for compacting said refuse, and said plate is moved in the opposite direction from said opening vafter said refuse has been compacted.

7. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said ejecting means comprises a hydraulic cylinder and piston combination for acting upon said cornpacted refuse t0 eject the same from saidv compacting space.

8. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means cooperating with said ejecting means for holding disposable bag means in the direction of motion of said ejecting means for receiving said compacted mass upon ejection from said compacting space.

9. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for holding said bag means includes refuse disposal can means surrounding and supporting said disposable bag means.

10. The refuse compacting apparatus as defined in claim 9 including conveying means for supporting and conveying said can means in sequence to receive said compacted mass after ejection from said compacting space.

(References on following page) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Fenu 25-12 Kardos 100-232 XR Dalirnata.

Wolff 141-480 Rothwell.

Lungren 53-124 Raab 100--74 XR Clar.

8 3,336,861 8/1967` Clar 100e-49 XR 3,371,599 3/1968 Tezuka 100-2-18 XR 3,384,007 5/1968 Boje et al 100--49 BILLY J. WILHITE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

